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I would love to become a professional oboist, and I believe now is the time I need to get my head in the game. All I’m asking for is some assistance on how to reach my goal. I attend Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School, I’ve played oboe for 3 years [7th grade to 9th] and I’ve joined local bands, such as the Augusta Wind Conservatory & District Honor Band & All County Band. I believe its time for me to become more serious. The question is, how?

I am so very thankful I moved into this career when I did, landing my symphony job in 1975. It was easier then; there were fewer oboists, and there were orchestras that were newly formed, others that were moving from an amateur status to professional, and a good number of groups seemed to be improving and growing. It was just an easier time.

Now there are a lot more very fine oboists and a lot fewer jobs. It’s a tough time!

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None, really. Both of them play the same kind of music (baroque, classical, romantic, and modern) with the same instruments. The only difference, and it’s a slight one, is in the connotation of the names. “Philharmonic” sounds a bit more formal and implies that the orchestra arose from a society of music lovers. “Symphony” refers simply to the works that are played.

but then someone else replied with this:

Marilyn: I’m writing to add some information to your comments about the difference between a philharmonic orchestra and a symphony orchestra.(March 27, 2011) The historic difference between the two organizations lies in the financing when they were first formed. A symphony orchestra had fixed ticket pricing, and the musicians were paid contract rates. In a philharmonic orchestra, the audience contributed to an at-will donation and the amount that was collected was split among the musicians. Today, all orchestras use fixed ticketed pricing and musicians are paid at contract rates, so there is little difference between them other than their names.